Lighting set Saturday, but Ocean Center decorations already a draw

Published: Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 5:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 5:10 p.m.

Saturday will mark the second year for the Ocean Center's Light Up Volusia Nights event but already the area around the Ocean Center and Boardwalk is bustling.

Facts

If You Go

55th Birthplace of Speed Antique Car Show and Gaslight Parade

WHEN/WHERE: The show is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fortunato Park, at the northeast corner of the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach. The parade begins 7 p.m. Friday at The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, and proceeds east on Granada to A1A to Howard Drive

"It's been a wonderful addition that really attracts people here," agreed his brother, Paul Politis, owner of Gator Beach and Sports, on North Atlantic Avenue, not far from the Ocean Center. "It's an attraction that didn't exist in the past."

The lights may not be turned on yet but that hasn't stopped people from coming by to admire the decorations at the Bandshell, Ocean Walk Shoppes and the Ocean Center.

On Wednesday afternoon, six members of the Sanders and Anderson families took turns having their picture taken before the Ocean Center tree.

"We can't all get together for Christmas so Thanksgiving is sort of our Christmas," said Shirley Sanders, of Owensboro, Ky., while younger members of the clan struck poses in front of the ribbon-festooned branches of the Ocean Center tree.

Bruce and Nanette Horvath, of Mentor, Ohio, were riding their bicycles and braked to a halt when they saw the decorations.

"The seahorse with the Santa hat caught my eye. You don't see that every day," said Nanette, referring to Sandy the Seahorse, the event's mascot.

So they parked the bikes in front of the tree for their holiday photo, too.

In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, the Parade of Lights will kick off at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.

The parade will begin on Main Street, at Peninsula Drive, move east to Ocean Avenue, turn north, then loop west on Auditorium Boulevard and conclude at the parking lot behind Peabody Auditorium.

The parade is sponsored by the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Al Smith Productions.

During the event , food trucks will be lined up along Main Street.

The ice skating rink at the Bandshell, already open, will remain open through Jan. 6.

<p>Saturday will mark the second year for the Ocean Center's Light Up Volusia Nights event but already the area around the Ocean Center and Boardwalk is bustling. </p><p>The celebration will kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday with a lighting ceremony in front of the 40-foot Ocean Center Christmas tree set for 7:15 p.m. </p><p>But ice skaters at the Bandshell and those passing by the Boardwalk have had a preview of the holiday decorations for a week now. </p><p>"The lights went up last week just because the company wanted to make sure all lights were up and running properly," said Ocean Center marketing director Angela Daniels. </p><p>According to Don Poor, the Ocean Center's director, more than 20,000 lights will adorn the area around the center. This is the second appearance for the $180,000 worth of lights purchased last year. </p><p>"This is our Rockefeller Center!" said attorney Michael Politis, looking forward to the tree light lighting event. </p><p>"It's been a wonderful addition that really attracts people here," agreed his brother, Paul Politis, owner of Gator Beach and Sports, on North Atlantic Avenue, not far from the Ocean Center. "It's an attraction that didn't exist in the past." </p><p>The lights may not be turned on yet but that hasn't stopped people from coming by to admire the decorations at the Bandshell, Ocean Walk Shoppes and the Ocean Center. </p><p>On Wednesday afternoon, six members of the Sanders and Anderson families took turns having their picture taken before the Ocean Center tree. </p><p>"We can't all get together for Christmas so Thanksgiving is sort of our Christmas," said Shirley Sanders, of Owensboro, Ky., while younger members of the clan struck poses in front of the ribbon-festooned branches of the Ocean Center tree. </p><p>Bruce and Nanette Horvath, of Mentor, Ohio, were riding their bicycles and braked to a halt when they saw the decorations. </p><p>"The seahorse with the Santa hat caught my eye. You don't see that every day," said Nanette, referring to Sandy the Seahorse, the event's mascot. </p><p>So they parked the bikes in front of the tree for their holiday photo, too. </p><p>In addition to the Christmas tree lighting, the Parade of Lights will kick off at 5:15 p.m. Saturday. </p><p>The parade will begin on Main Street, at Peninsula Drive, move east to Ocean Avenue, turn north, then loop west on Auditorium Boulevard and conclude at the parking lot behind Peabody Auditorium. </p><p>The parade is sponsored by the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Al Smith Productions. </p><p>During the event , food trucks will be lined up along Main Street. </p><p>The ice skating rink at the Bandshell, already open, will remain open through Jan. 6.</p>